Multifilament electric light bulb and control switch therefor



June 11, 1940. N, ZAGME T 2,203,762

NULTIFILAMENT ELECTRIC LIGHT BULB AND CONTROL SWITCH THEREFOR Filed Jan. 26, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q WW Jl z'cv Z qgmemier June 11, 1940. N. ZAGMESTER 2,203,762

MULTIFILAMENT ELECTRIC LIGHT BULB AND CONTROL SWITCH THEREFOR Filed Jan. 2 6, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 MULTIFILAMENT ELECTRIC LIGHT BULB AND CONTROL SWITCH THEREFOR Filed Jan. 26, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I] won two Zagmea' Zen June 11, 1940. ZAGMESTER 2,203,762

MULTIFILAMENT ELECTRIC LIGHT BULB AND CONTROL SWITCH THEREFOR Filed Jan. 26, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 83 fg/JZ @2 20. 57 ea 87 J29 as as 8B Patented June 11, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIFILAMENT ELECTRIC LIGHT BULB AND CONTROL SWITCH THEREFOR 8 Claims.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a multifilament light bulb, preferably of pear-shape with interior partition walls mirrored or otherwise treated with a refleeting coating to increase illumination, combined with a socket member embodying a switch device for selectively or simultaneously activating the multiple filament.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multifilament bulb of the foregoing character combined with a switch socket or connector in which the connector carries all of the switch devices for controlling illumination of the separate filaments.

With the above and other objects in view that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the'same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a multifilament electric light bulb and control switch therefor constructed in accordance with the present invention, the switch device being positioned to render each of the filaments inactive;

Figure 2 shows side elevational views of the nultifilament bulb and connector switch there- 80 Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the bulb and switch connector showing the switch in position for operation of both filaments;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional ll view, similar to Figure 3, showing the switch device in position for operation of, one filament;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, similar to Figure 3, of the modified form of construction, wherein one filament is illumiw hated and the head of the switch connector is provided with an insulation sheet or cap, this form of lamp being intended for suspension by an electric conductor cord;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken on 45 line 6-6 of Figure;4,, showing the manner of anchoring the threaded"metallic cap to the switch connector;

Figure 'I is a top plan view of the assembled multifilament bulb and control switch connector 50 therefor;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l8 of Figure 1, showing the inner filament within a conical chamber housed by the bulb proper;

(Cl. Hit-34?) 9-9 of Figure 1, showing the outer filament housed in the main chamber of the bulb;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring arrangement for the bulb and a part of the control switch associated therewith; 5

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view of the switch connector;

- Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the button operated shaft of the switch;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on 10 line l3--I3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on line I4--l4 of Figure 12;

Figure 15 is a front elevational view of the double switch arm;

Figure 16 is an edge elevational view of the switch arm shown in Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a front elevational view of the holding member for the switch arm;

Figure 18 is an edge elevational view of the 20 holding member shown in Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a front elevational view of the cam for operating the double switch arm; and

Figure 20 is an edge elevational view of the cam. 26

As shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 2, the multifilament electric light bulb and control switch therefor includes a glass bulb 2| of general pear-shape, with a gradually reduced neck merging into a base 22 that is of solid formation except for openings or passages therethrough, the base 22 terminating in a cylindrical portion that is externally threaded for the retention of the metal contact collar 23 that is threaded thereon. The base portion 22 of the bulb carries a central plug depending into the bulb body 2! for a relatively short distance and the lower end of said plug 23 carries a frustoconical wall 24 that depends therefrom into the bulb 2| in spaced relation to the bottom wall of the bulb while an upwardly arched annular partition wall 25 extends between the lower end of the frusto-conical member 24 and the wall of the bulb 2|. The inner faces 26 and 21 of the frustoconical member 24 and the upwardly arched wall 25 have a reflecting coating thereon for inlcreasing the illuminating characteristics of the bulb. The base portion 22 of the bulb adjacent its outer end is provided with an interior recess 28 and a series of ports or passages 29 extend from the recess 28 to the chambers ll and 2| of the bulb that are separated from each other by the frusto-conical wall and arched wall 25. An axial opening 32 extends from the recess 22 to the outer end of the base portion 22 to accom- 6 chambers 30 and 3| of the bulb have been exhausted of air, through the passages 29, recess 28 and tubular neck 33, said chambers and passages are closed to the atmosphere by means of an insulation filling and the pin plug 35 inserted in the cap 34 to close the outer end of the tubular neck 33.

The multiple filament in the bulb comprises a filament located in the truncated member 24 and the chamber 3! within the bulb 2| and as shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 10, the filament 36 located within the truncated member 24 and suitably supported therein has a conductor wire 31 extending from one end thereof through the chamber 30 and base portion 22 of the bulb for attachment to the screw cap or collar 23 as at 38, which constitutes the ground 38a shown in Figure 10, the conductor 39 from the other end of the filament 36 extending through the chamber 30 of the bulb and base portion 22 for connection with a terminal pin 40' anchored in the base portion 22 with the upper end of the contact pin 40 extending through the insulation cap 34 to provide an exposed contact 40a. The other filament 4| as shown in Figures 1 and 10 is located in the chamber 3| of the bulb 2| below the frusto-conical member 24, being supported intermediate its ends by the porcelain pin 42 depending from the lower end of. the frusto-conical member while one end of the filament 4| is attached to a conductor 43 extending through the upwardly arched partition wall 25, chamber 30 and base portion 22 for attachment as at 44 as shown in Figure 1 to the metal ring or cap 23 to constitute the ground 44a shown in Figure 10. The other end of the filament 4| is attached to the conductor extending through the partition wall 25, chamber 30 and base portion 22 for attachment to the terminal end 46 embedded in the base portion and extending through the insulation cap with the exposed end 46a forming a contact. It will be understood that the electric light bulb iii may be inserted in an ordinary socket and both filaments illuminated.

The electric lamp is primarily intended for use in connection with a connector having manually operated switch means therein for controlling the illumination of the filaments 3B and 4| and said switch connector is shown more clearly in Figures 1 to 6 and 10 to 20. The switch connector comprises an insulation block 41 of cylindrical formation having a socket :18 in its lower end with the wall of the socket threaded for the reception of a threaded metallic ring 49 that is permanently anchored to the side wall of the socket 48 by having portions thereof depressed outwardly into recesses in the wall of the socket 48. The other end of the switch connector body 11 is of plug formation as shown at with the outer wall of the plug threaded for the reception of the metaliic screw ring or collar 52 having portions thereof as shown at 53 in Figure 6, depressed into recesses 55 formed in the outer wall of the plug 5|. The connector body =31 between said socket :13 and plug Si is provided with a transversely extending chamber 54 between the side walls thereof for the mounting of the switch devices, the lower end of the chamber at communicating with the socket 23, while the upper end of the chamber 54 communicates with an axial bore 55' extending through the plug portion 5| of the connector body. The metallic screw collars 49 and 52 constitute electrical grounds and the electrical connections between said metallic collars includes a conductor wire 56 shown more clearly in Figures 1 to 5 as being embedded in'the insulation connector body 41 with the lower end thereof engaged with the ring 49 as shown at 51, while the upper end of the conductor 56 extends-into a socket 56 in the plug portion 5| of the connector for attachment to a head 59 that is embedded in lead 60 in the socket 58 with the lead 60 contacting the ground ring 52, the head 59 extending above the lead filler 60 and formed with an eye 6| for purposes presently to appear.

The switch mechanism is mounted within the chamber 54 in the connector block 41 and includes a resilient contact carried by a holder, the latter being shown in detail in Figures 17 and 1B and comprising a pin 62 having a flared head 63 on one end with the other end thereof threaded as at 64 and provided adjacent its terminal end with a transverse opening 65, the pin 62 being located in the bore 55 with the flared head 63 engaging a correspondingly formed surface at the upper end of the chamber 54 and retained in said bore 55 by means of retaining nuts 66 threaded upon the upper end 64 of the pin 62 and countersunk in the upper end of the plug portion 5| of the connector body 41 with the opening 65 in the pin 62 disposed outwardly of the retaining nuts 66. A cross arm 61 extends across the lower end of the flared head 63 and the contact holder further includes a pair of opposed arched arms 68 connected at their upper ends by a head 69 that flatly engages the lower side of the cross arm 61, the bottom face of the head 69 having a dove-tailed groove therein while the free end of each outwardly arched arm 68 has an opening 1| therein.

The resilient contact is shown in Figures and 16 in detail and comprises a pair of outwardly arched arms 12 respectively carrying depending contact fingers 13 and 14, the upper ends of the arms 12 being connected by a cross head 15 having an upstanding dove-tailed projection 16 that interlocks with the dove-tailed recess 10 in the lower side of the head 69 of the contact holder arms 68. When the parts are assembled as illustrated, the contact fingers 13 and 14 depend below the free ends of the arched arms 68 while guide pins 11 carried by the lower sides of the contact arms 12 pass through the openings 1| in the holder arms for guiding the contact fingers 13 and 14 into and out of contact make and break positions.

The operating means for the contact fingers 13 and 14 includes an operating shaft designated in general by the reference character 18 that is journalled in a bore 19 in the connector block 41 that traverses the chamber 54, the operating shaft 18 and means associated therewith for the operation of the contact fingers 13 and 14 being shown in detail in Figures 12 to 14, 19 and 20. The resilient contact arms 12, the contact holder arms 68 and cross arm 61 are secured to the flared head 63 of the pin 62 by means of a headed screw 62a that threads upwardly into the flared head as shown in Figure l. The switch operating shaft 18 includes a cylindrical portion 80 and a squared portion 8| that has an end opening internally threaded socket 822, A cylindrical sleeve 83 having a squared bore is inter-fittingly engaged with a portion of the squared section 6| of the shaft in spaced relation to the cylindrical portion 80 and is retained in position on said shaft by means of the headed screw 84 engaging in the socket 82, the cylindrical portions 80 and 83 of the shaft being rotatable in the transverse opening 19 in the switch block 41. The outer end of the sleeve 83 is countersunk in'the side wall of the block 41 and is covered by an insulation screw plug 85 as shown in Figure 11. The other end of the shaft projects outwardly of. the block 41 and carries a finger piece or operating button 86. A cam block 81 of insulation material as shown in Figures 19 and 20 has a rectangular bore 88 therein for keyed mounting on the squared portion 8| of the shaft between the cylindrical portion 80 and the sleeve 88 and is disposed in the chamber 54 intermediate the resilient contact arms 12.

The lamp bulb 2| is engaged with the connector 41 as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 and the plug end 5| of the connector may then be engaged with an ordinary socket, When the cam block 81 is in the position shown in Figure 1, the contact arms 12 are retracted towards each other with the contact fingers 13 and 14 spaced from the contact terminals 40a and 46a. When the switch shaft 18 is rotated by the button 86 in one direction, the contact finger 14 is lowered into engagement with the contact 4611 for the illumination of. the filament 4| and when the cam block is shifted to the position shown in Figure 5, the contact finger 13 is lowered, into engagement with the contact 40a for the illumination of the filament 36.

13 and 14 are lowered for respective engagement with the contacts 40a and 46a. for simultaneous illumination of the two filaments 36 and 4|. The circuit through the ground extends by way of the metallic collar 23 on the lamp bulb 2 I, the metallic ring 49 in the connector block 41 and the conductor 56 in the connector block from said ring 49 to the lead filler 60 and screw cap 5| on the plug end of the connector block 41, the other line of the circuit being established through the contacts Mia-46a, contact fingers 13-14 and pin 62.

Should it be desired to suspend the electric light bulb and connector block 41 or attach the same to a flexible conductor, the modification as shown in Figure 5 is employed wherein the plug end 5| of the connector block 41 is covered by an insulation cap 88 and the wires of the conductor are respectively anchored in the opening 65 in the pin 62 and the eye 6| at the upper end of the conductor 56.

From the above detailed description of the invention, it is believed that the construction and use thereof will at once be apparent and while there are herein shown and described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. An adapter for use with multifilament lamp bulbs, wherein the lamp bulb has a ground and a terminal for each filament, comprising a suitable plug having a socket ground at one end and a plug ground at the other end, a pair of resilient contacts in the socket end and a contact in the plug end, means for selective or simultaneous operation of the contacts in the socket end of the switch plug, a holder for said resilient contacts disposed at the outer sides thereof, and cooperat- When the cam 81 is shifted to the position shown in Figure 3, both contact fingers ing guide means for the resilient contacts carried by said contacts and holder, said holder carrying the contact at the plug end of the adapter and an exposed head forming a part of the ground at the plug end.

2. An adapter for use with multifilament lamp bulbs, wherein the lamp bulb has a ground and terminal for each filament, comprising a suitable plug having a socket ground at one end and a plug ground at the other end, a pair of resilient contacts in the socket end and a contact in the plug end, means for selective or simultaneous operation of the contacts in the socket end of the switch plug, a holder for said resilient contacts disposed at the outer sides thereof, and cooperating guide means for the resilient contacts carried by said contacts and holder, said holder carrying the contact at the plug end of the adapter and an exposed head forming a part of the ground at the plug end, an insulation cap on the plug end of the adapter and the contact and ground head at the plug end adapted to have a pair of conductor wires attached theretofor suspension of the adapter.

3. An adapter for use with multifilament lamp bulbs, wherein the lamp bulb has a ground and a terminal for each filament, comprising a suitable plug having a socket ground at one end and a plug ground at the other end, a pair of resilient contacts in the socket end and a contact in the plug end, means for selective or simultaneous operation of the contacts in the socket end of the switch plug, a holder for said resilient contacts disposed at the outer sides thereof, and cooperating guide means for the resilient contacts carried by said contacts and holder, the contact holder and resilient contacts including outwardly arched arms with the lower ends of the contact holder arms spaced from each other and contact fingers on the lower ends of the contact arms depending through the space between the holder arms.

4. An adapter for use with multifilament lamp bulbs, wherein the lamp bulb has a ground and a terminal for each filament, comprising a suitable plug having a socket ground at one end and a plug ground at the other end, a pair of resilient contacts in the socket end and a contact in the plug end, means for selective or simultaneous operation of the contacts in the socket end of the switch plug, a holder for said resilient contacts disposed at the outer sides thereof, and cooperating guide means for the resilient contacts carried by said contacts and holder, said holder carrying the contact at the plug end of the adapter and an exposed head forming a part of the ground at the plug end, the contact holder and resilient contacts including outwardly arched arms with the lower arms of the contact holder arms spaced from each other and contact fingers on the lower ends of the contact arms depending through the space between the holder arms.

5. An adapter for use with multifilament lamp bulbs, wherein the lamp bulb has a ground and terminal for each filament, comprising a suitable plug having a socket ground at one end and a plug ground at the other end, a pair of resilient contacts in the socket end and a contact in, the plug end, means for selective or simultaneous operation of the contacts in the socket end of the switch plug, a holder for said resilient contacts disposed at the outer sides thereof, and cooperating guide means for the resilient contacts carried by said contacts and holder, said holder carrying the contact at the plug end of the adapter and an exposed head forming a part of the ground at the plug end, an insulation cap on the plug end of the adapter and the contact and ground head at the plug end adapted to have a pair of conductor wires attached thereto for suspension of the adapter, the contact holder and resilient contacts including outwardly arched arms with the lower ends of the contact holder arms spaced from each other and contact fingers on the lower end of the contact arms depending through the space between the holder arms.

6. An adapter for use with multifilament lamp bulbs, wherein the lamp bulb has a ground and a terminal for each filament, comprising a suitable plug having a socket ground at one end and a plug ground at the other end, a pair of resilient contacts in the socket end and a contact in the plug end, means for selective or simultaneous operation of the contacts in the socket end of the switch plug, a holder for said resilient contacts disposed at the outer sides thereof, and cooperating guide means for the resilient contacts carried by said contacts and holder, the contact holder and resilient contacts including outwardly arched arms with the lower ends of the contact holder arms spaced from each other and contact fingers on the lower ends of the contact arms depending through the space between the holder arms, the cooperating guide means for the contacts including a pin on each resilient contact and each holder arm having an opening therein for the passage of the adjacent pin.

7. An adapter for use with multifilament lamp bulbs, wherein the lamp bulb has a ground and a terminal for each filament, comprising a suitable plug having a socket ground at one end and a plug ground at the other end, a pair of resilient contacts in the socket end and a contact in the plug end, means for selective or simultaneous operation of the contacts in the socket end of the switch plug, a holder for said resilient contacts disposed at the outer sides thereof, and cooperating guide means for the resilient contacts carried by said contacts and holder, said holder carrying the contact at the plug end of the adapter and an exposed head forming a part of the ground at the plug end, the contact holder and resilient contacts including outwardly arched arms with the lower arms of the contact holder arms spaced from each other and contact fingers on the lower ends of the contact arms depending through the space between the holder arms, the cooperating guide means for the contacts including a pin on each resilient contact and each holder arm having an opening therein for the passage of the adjacent pin.

8. An adapter for use with multifilament lamp bulbs, wherein the lamp bulb has a ground and a terminal for each filament, comprising a suitable plug having a socket ground at one end and a plug ground at the other end, a pair of resilient contacts in the socket end and a contact in the plug end, means for selective or simultaneous operation of the contacts in the socket end of the switch plug, a holder for said resilient contacts disposed at the outer sides thereof, and

cooperating guide means for the resilient contacts carried by said contacts and holder, said holder carrying the contact at the plug end of the adapter and an exposed head forming a part of the ground at the plug end, an insulation cap on the plug end of the adapter and the contact and ground head at the plug end adapted to have a pair of conductor wires attached thereto for suspension of the adapter, the contact holder and resilient contacts including outwardly arched arms with the lower ends of the contact holder arms spaced from each other and contact fingers on the lower end of the contact arms depending through the space between the holder arms, the cooperating guide means for the-contacts including a pin on each resilient contact and each holder arm having an opening therein for the passage of the adjacent pin.

NICK ZAGMESTER. 

